ANNAPOLIS – Skyway Airlines will become the third carrier in three months to begin service at Baltimore/Washington International Airport, offering nonstop flights roundtrip to Milwaukee beginning Jan. 31, officials announced Monday.
“This new daily airline service provides convenient access to America’s heartland and reaffirms our contention that there is no better place than Maryland to live, work and raise a family,” said Gov. Parris N. Glendening in a written statement.
Skyway Airlines, operated by Astral Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Midwest Express, will target business travelers by offering two daily roundtrip flights aboard its Fairchild 328 Regional Jets, equipped with 32 reclining leather seats and the widest and tallest passenger cabins in their class.
Passengers will enjoy light meals, full beverage service, complimentary champagne and chocolate chip cookies baked on board during the two hour and 10 minute flight from Milwaukee to BWI.
“These are certainly challenging times for the airline industry. But we believe it’s important to look ahead and be responsive to our customers’ requests for new service,” said Thomas J. Vick, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Midwest Express in a written statement.
Skyway’s addition to BWI “reflects the underlying strength of Maryland’s economy,” Glendening said.
Since Sept. 11 – when several carriers cut back operations after the terrorist attacks – two carriers in addition to Skyway announced plans to expand to BWI by the beginning of next year.
On Dec. 6, Pan American Airways, a subsidiary of Guilford Transportation Industries, began service from BWI to Bangor, Maine, Portsmouth, N.H. and Orlando, Fla. and will expand service to St. Petersburg, Fla., Thursday.
And AirTran Airways, a low-fare airline formerly known as ValuJet, will offer three daily nonstop flights out of BWI to Atlanta and Boston starting Tuesday. In February, AirTran will add a fourth daily flight to Atlanta and two more to Boston.
– 30 – CNS 12-11-01